Hey everyone,
So reading the original AN for this chapter was a lot of fun. This chapter was, apparently, posted in November 2017 and I thought that Kingdom Hearts 3 would release sometime in 2018. Then again, the release in January 2019 is the whole reason I decided to make all these edits and changes. And I did write in the original AN that I would edit as many of my stories as possible. So better late than never, don't you guys think?
Let's have fun,
Venquine1990
Chapter 34
That Took Long Enough
30th of January 1996
Destiny's Haven
Sora's POV
I have always been able to become fast friends with a lot of people and creatures, regardless of who they are. And my little sister is someone I have grown to worry about more and more ever since we first met a few days ago and while Riku has been a lot more open in showing his concern for her, do I feel as if I am emulating my own fears, worries and concerns for the sweet, slightly younger girl through the boy I fell in love with so long ago.
And the fact that my chapter ended just before she faced her first great enemy – or as Donald, Goofy and I have started calling them halfway through our first journey to find Riku, Kairi and King Mickey, her first boss – do I make sure to take a lot of comfort out of three things. One is how the girl seems obvious to it as she is obviously stuck in a wonderful daydream concerning herself and her own mate chosen by Destiny.
The second is the way I am closely seated against Riku, the dark lad obviously pushing his own mounting concerns to the side to help keep me feel reassured, something that his mere presence is able to do especially with how close we are seated together. And the final bit is where we are as this is a room that is controlled by forces that even Maleficent can't fight, thus greatly guaranteeing my sister's safety and welfare.
Yet the book that is now in Riku's hand still works like a great distractor to how calm and relaxed I want to feel and I think: "I really can't wait till we can throw that damned thing away and just start watching my own adventure." Yet I know, deep down, that that won't do much good either, considering the circumstances and that it will probably make dad and Jessica feel the same way I am feeling right now.
However, I was fourteen and not eleven when I had my first adventure, had been – sort of – training for such an adventure for most of my youth, even if only with a toy sword and even had skilled friends on my side throughout most of my journey and was also usually able to rely on others, sometimes even adults unlike the Hogwarts staff. And it's these factors missing from my sister's life that makes me consider her adventures worse than my own.
And Riku seems to agree with me, yet he also seems to sense that I can't really find my inner peace as well as I would want to as he buries his face in my hair and ruffles it with his nose, the feeling of his breath against my skin making me feel faint with delight and I hear him whisper: "Don't worry, I got you." Before he starts to read.
The Man With Two Faces
At this I can't help but sigh and the others look at me as I say: "I can't help it. That title reminds me of Roxas and how he was treated by Xemnas." I then turn to Riku, still feeling a great sense of pain ever since the end of my Mark of Mastery exam and say: "Remember? He was taken in because Xemnas cared for him, but was used by Xemnas for his own schemes at the same time. Xemnas was as two-faced as this person mentioned."
Riku nods at this, but then dad asks: "Who are Xemnas and Roxas?" And I sigh as I say: "People I met – and in the case of Xemnas, fought against – during my second grand journey. And to be honest, I still don't feel I really met Roxas at the end of it all." At this Riku, who understands what I mean, hugs me tight before he whispers: "Everything worked out in the end. You brought them all back, remember?" Making me smile at him as he reads on.
It was Quirrell.
At this Riku sighs and says: "I will be honest. If I had been in Jess' shoes at the time, I really wouldn't have suspected him either. Then again, I didn't suspect Ansem until it was too late either. You'll see when we watch our first movie." He then tells dad, who looks at the boy in clear concern and I cuddle closer against him as he reads on.
"You!" gasped … here, Potter."
"This is going to be exactly the same way as what happened when you met Ansem at the Keyhole." Riku mutters, self-hatred, anger and great concern sounding through his voice and I mutter: "Stop it. We'll talk later." And because he knows I mean his self-hatred, which I really thought he had managed to stop believing in after defeating Ansem during the end of the Keyblade War, does the boy sigh and nod before he continues the chapter.
"But I thought – Snape –"
And at this do I look up, but Lady Destiny says: "They are at Hogwarts. Now is not the time. I will let them know when they are done." And I nod, feeling excited over the idea that my mum and my aunt are making things better for my sister's best friend. I then smile at how she still seems to be daydreaming as Riku reads on.
"Severus?" Quirrell … Quidditch match.
At this we all shudder, yet this seems to be the wrong thing to do as Jess suddenly asks: "Huh, what happened? Where are we?" And dad sighs as he says: "We just found out how lucky it was that Hermione hit Quirrell before she took care of Snape." And the girl cringes before she hugs him close and says: "Even if I had fallen off, the twins would have caught me. Remember that." And we all smile at her gratefully as Riku reads on.
She broke … save me?"
"There is no way Snape would want to see Lily's son dead. He'd never like Harry, especially with how much his looks matched James, but he'd never want to lose such a vital link to a past he probably still misses so much." Dad mumbles and Jess actually nods in agreement, which amazes me about her as Riku goes on reading.
"Of course," … you tonight."
And just this statement is enough to make my need to protect my little sister and see her safe reach new heights and Riku and I both summon our Keyblades, Riku holding his with one hand while holding the book with the other, but Jess says: "You're wasting your time, just read on." And Riku does so, sounding furious. Yet I notice Jessica smiling at us gratefully as he does and I give her a promising nod before I listen to his reading.
Quirrell snapped … around Harry.
And because of what we found out both last night and earlier today, do I turn to Jessica worriedly, but while she whitens, does she shake her head and say: "He kept using magic and even ignored me for a while. He was sick, but – not in that way." And this only alleviates some of my concerns, but not all of them as Riku reads on.
"You're too … of Erised.
And while I had kept Dumbledore's little words about Harry and knowing of the Mirror in the back of my head for some time now, does it still shock me to find out that this of all places is where the man moved the Mirror to and I think: "Is this a good thing – or a bad?" And I move closer to Riku in concern as he reads on.
"This mirror … gets back..."
"Did Quirrell really forget that there are things like Floo and Apparation?" Dad asks and Jessica sighs as she says: "Now I remember. Something's missing again. Quirrell also mumbled my spells on transport will ensure that. I just didn't know or care about he meant with that at the time." Dad nods, but this only worries me more, even though the terms of Floo and Apparation are completely foreign to me as Riku reads on.
All Harry … my side..."
Yet for some reason, does this startle dad and he mutters: "How curious." We all look at him and he says: "As far as I know, it's an unspoken rule for Death Eaters to call Voldemort The Dark Lord. What gave Quirrell the right not to do this?" Yet the way that Jess shivers alone makes me know it's not anything great and Riku reads on.
Quirrell came … you dead."
At this I look at dad and ask: "Did you really hate each other that much?" And dad sighs as I say: "Let me put it this way. Snape always held sympathy for things I grew to hate and resent thanks to how my mum tried to force me to believe in them and Jamie and I always had more chances of being with Lily, who was Snape's friend, than he liked, due to us being year and House mates. Combine that with our teenage hormones and –."
The man sighs, proving he greatly regrets the person he was growing up and says: "Let's just say that, while our teenage years did help us gain the bonds that we love having today and shaped us, sort of, into being who we are today, we were very much a combination of Dudley and Draco growing up." And while this actually shocks Jessica, do I cringe before Riku reads on.
"But I … Harry gasped.
"But I thought Voldemort wouldn't dare thread into Hogwarts." I can't help but squeak in concerned fear and Jessica sighs as she says: "The state he was in made him willing to take risks he never dared when still with a body. You'll see, it's explained shortly." And at this Riku moves so that the four of us are closer together as he reads on.
"He is … seek it...
Yet this, just like I expected, seems to insult Riku personally and he growls: "No good and evil. Does that mean that there's no difference between Light and Darkness either? Is that what you're saying?" But I then remember what made me fall for him in the first place and I happily lie a hand on the skirt he is wearing.
The boy looks at me and I say: "There is a difference, there are many differences, but you, my lovely Road to Dawn, make for the perfect mix between them. And I love you for it." And my beloved Wielder of the Dark Keyblade smiles back at me and whispers me a soft word of gratitude before he goes back to the book.
Since then, … so stupid?
"My question is, if Albus did see this, why did he only take that Stone out of Gringotts? Why didn't he take care of Quirrell directly? Why did he allow for such a dangerous teacher to remain around students?" Dad asks, his anger obviously stemming forth from his concern over my little sister, who sighs and mutters:
"Dad, stop asking. You know why." And the defeated tone of her voice infuriates me as I think: "Why the heck would she consider herself the reason behind –?" But then I remember everything that happened in the book, all of the events that, conveniently, seem to connect all of the dots and that lead up to all this and I think: "Conniving, disgusting, unethical bastard." And I growl in my mind as Riku continues reading.
He'd seen … fell over.
"You didn't get hurt, did you?" I ask, needing the reassurance of my little sister and her presence near me as Riku's reading is so good I almost feel as if I am seeing it happen on a video or tv screen like the one in the video room and the girl shakes her head as she says: "No, the steps were made of smooth marble and my skin was a lot tougher before my change. It was just the impact that hurt a little." At which I nod, feeling relieved as Riku reads on.
Quirrell ignored … the boy..."
"LEAVE MY SISTER ALONE!" I shout, feeling furious and terrified of whoever this bastard could be and while part of me feels like I am back to when I found out that Ansem had taken Riku's heart, do I actually feel Jessica put a hand on my leg the same way I did with Riku before. I smile at her gratefully, knowing I will probably have to do the same quite a few times once we get to my journeys as Riku reads on.
Quirrell rounded … the Stone.
And while I am amazed at how easily my little sister actually did this, do I hear dad growl: "That's it. That – that – that kind of defense? No, I – I'm sorry, but –." And Riku says: "We'll read on." And while I pull Jessica a little closer as proof, does dad storm off and out of the room. I look at him in concern as the man actually hasn't had to do this since we read of the Muggle chapters and Jessica cuddles close against me as Riku reads on.
"Well?" said … for this..."
At this I pull Jessica right onto my lap and Riku growls: "No interruptions. I – I don't think I can read on if I get interrupted." At this I nod, but then Jessica actually moves and pushes herself in between us. The girl then lies one hand on both our laps and I realize she did this to let us both take assurance out of her presence. I smile at her and Riku again goes to hold the book with one hand, using his other to grasp hers as he reads on.
Harry felt … a snake.
And while I have no doubt this would have terrified me had it not been for all of the horrible Heartless, Nightmares and Nobodies that I faced over the years. Yet while she had set herself between us for our reassurance, does it seem as if this description is a little too detailed for my little sister as she herself starts to tremble.
But then I notice how her grip on my leg has turned nearly painful and I think: "This isn't about that night. It's something else." And I mentally go over the description again as well as everything else Riku just read before I realize something. "Until last June, that killer didn't have a body." And instantly I realize the truth.
I turn to my younger sister, who has a face that is white as snow and who has her eyes closed tight enough I wonder if they will ever open, her whole body shaking and whimpers escaping her throat which are barely loud enough for me to hear them. Yet the way that the girl is shaking makes me realize she is trying to suppress something. "The memories." Riku mumbles and I look at him and he says: "Those of June."
And I look at my little sister in concern before Riku mumbles: "Thunder." And just like last time does my sister lose consciousness, her body falling down against the couch and her grip on my leg releasing itself instantly. I look at Riku and he mutters: "We'll wake her once the fight is over." At which I nod before moving Jessica so that her body is lying across from both of ours. I then move myself closer against Riku and he smiles at me as he reads on.
"Harry Potter..." … and minds...
This makes Riku grimace, which I know is because of what happened between him and Ansem and I mutter: "I guess, in his own way, Voldemort actually became a Heartless." I then catch Riku's gaze and say: "And Heartless can be destroyed." Making him smirk and nod at me and we both glance at Jessica before he reads on.
Unicorn blood … your pocket?"
"Why don't you meet the wrong end of a Keyblade?" I mutter, hating how Voldemort thinks he can just order my eleven year old sibling around like that, only to get shocked by the amused voice of Lady Destiny as she says: "I will be sure to give your mother this advice. And perhaps Lea as well, while he's there." And instantly Riku and I share a victorious smirk as I think: "Payback, you bastard." As Riku reads on.
So he … for mercy..."
At this I turn to Riku and ask: "Why do I doubt that?" And Riku answers: "Because you've been hanging around your dad long enough to know what kind of people he'd befriend and fall for. Because the last few days proved you are a true child of both your parents." And I smile at the loving pride in his voice as he says: "And the fact that you managed to become like that while not raised by them is even more impressive." Before he reads on.
"LIAR!" Harry … in vain."
"I can only imagine how much it will sting for him to find out that all of this is bull crap and lies." Riku mutters, but this makes me grimace and I mutter: "I don't know, if his pursuit of Jess when she was still Harry is anything to go by –." And Riku grimaces as he says: "Right, good point." And he reads on, his voice dark.
"NEVER!" Harry … of him.
And while I know that this almost inspired Riku to just do as he asked to do once the story is over, can I easily tell that the last part is what kept him from doing this. And I got to admit that I feel just as confused as to why a bastard like that would go against his master's orders, yet I also feel relieved at this as the idea of my sibling being that badly hurt – nearly tortured – at that age makes me only more glad for Riku's presence as he reads on.
The pain … my hands!"
"A protection." I suddenly hear a voice mutter and I turn around, seeing dad move back to sit on my left, gently moving my sister's unconscious form so that her legs are now spread across his and my own lap. Dad then looks at me and I say: "Voldemort's description." And that seems to be enough explanation to the man as he nods before he mumbles:
"She was protected. Someone as dark as Voldemort was somehow unable to touch her. But – Lily never died to save her life, so – who cast the protection spell?" To which I ask: "Could it have been the clones? They were made to be exactly like mum and aunt Lily." At which the man hums and nods before Riku reads on.
And Quirrell, … a curse.
"Why didn't he just try and use a spell?" I can't help but ask, only to get shocked by a female voice that mumbles: "Got scared by the fact that he could perform wandless magic. Didn't think any spell would work." Yet I look at my sister and realize that she has fallen half asleep again, having turned her body so that her back is now to us and one arm under her head. I smile at the girl, glad that she gets another chance to relax as Riku reads.
Harry jumped … down... down...
Yet as ominous as that sounds, do I still let out a sigh of relief and think: "It's over." And I feel just like I did when I realized that we won the Keyblade War and that the final fight against the Seekers of Darkness and Xehanort was over, when I came back to the Islands after realizing that my search for Kairi was leading me nowhere. "That took long enough." Riku mumbles and I agree with him as he continues reading.
Something gold … above him.
At this dad sighs and says: "I hate that it was him waiting for you to wake up. It should have been your mum or me." But while I wonder why the man wasn't there and what could have kept him at the time, do I then look from him to Jessica, who is still fast asleep and then say: "You would have, dad. I know you would, if you could." Dad smiles at me before we both start to watch my sister as she sleeps, while Riku reads on.
"Good afternoon, … the Stone."
"So it was him that Jessica heard shouting her old name, wasn't it?" I ask and when dad nods, does Riku ask: "Does he do that often? Not showing up until the very last minute?" And dad sighs in annoyance before he says: "He sure seems to be making a habit of it, if last June is any indication. Though I wonder if he got the same chance in the next book." Which makes Riku and me share a dark glance before my love reads on.
"Then who … Dumbledore, beaming.
"You're kidding me, right?" Riku asks shocked and Jessica yawns as she asks: "Kidding about what?" And I gently explain her the situation, to which the girl shakes her head before Riku asks: "But some of them did apologize, right?" And the girl snorts before she says: "Yeah, the ones that barely did anything and in name of the actual worse ones." Angering Riku even further, yet then suddenly Jessica gasps in shock.
We all look at her as she pushes herself up, the rest of us making space for her between me and dad and the younger girl pulls the scroll that Hedwig brought in back to her and reads it through, her eyes widening in fear before she whimpers: "No. No, that – eugh." We all look at her and she sighs, her form suddenly showing a sense of defeat that makes me want to comfort her myself, were it not for dad beating me to the punch.
"Sweetie?" Dad asks as he pulls the defeated girl into his lap and Jessica mutters: "The contract. The one bet-between Hogwarts and Campbrina. Umbridge and Dumbledore are causing threats and problems for practically all of the Hogwarts students and that allows all of them to transfer to Campbrina. For me that means both my friends and those I worry for –." But while she stops there, do I get what she means.
"As well as those that make you want to stay away from Hogwarts in the first place. In other words, if that happens, you will be in trouble with them, whether you are at Hogwarts or Campbrina." And Jessica nods, her face down and her hands scrunching up the scroll between them, proving how distraught she is with this.
But then we hear a voice talking as if it's speaking to someone else and hear Aunt Lily say: "Jessica is independent. To the point that she breaks rules just to help others. We even heard stories of her being willing to throw her own life away just to help or protect others. But the rules of Campbrina are way tighter on that than those at Hogwarts. You heard about that when Lea questioned the staff in regards to Jessica and those filthy creeps and their sick ideas.
And trust me, even if Jessica and those creeps both go to Campbrina, they will not be learning in the same part of the school. But if Sirius keeps being his overprotective self, Jessica will lose her reason to be independent and will grow more willing to abide by the rules and trust in adults. And that is another reason she goes on crazy adventures to save others, like she did when she went to face that Mountain Troll." And after this, do we hear another voice:
"And the same counts for those that have been wronging you for years. You're going to need your time here to lose some of your independent streak, they will need a taste of the Campbrina rules to realize how immoral they are. And when it all comes together, you will be safe, especially because the Campbrina rules will make it so that you will be taught in different sections of the school." Lady Destiny tells us, making us sigh relieved.
Dad then looks at Jessica with a relieved smile on his face, the smile having grown a little bit in size when we heard about the different sections and teaching and the girl snickers as she says: "She only read of me and met me once and yet she knows me this well." To which dad laughs and says: "That's Lily for you." And I smile, while only part of me wonders who Aunt Lily was talking to, and then Riku continues his chapter.
"What happened … amuse you.
Yet at this Riku turns to Jessica, who instantly says: "They become my body guards practically whenever the school turns on me again and help me get away when the arguments between Ron and Hermione become too much for me to handle." And my beloved nods, obviously reassured, as he continues the chapter.
Madam Pomfrey, … must say."
"There shouldn't have been any need for an eleven year old to do very well on their own. Students shouldn't have felt the need to do very well on something like this. Seriously, I really hope that James and the others knock some responsibility back into those blasted teachers." Dad growls and Riku nods with him as he reads on.
"You got … was you."
"To be honest, I am surprised about that myself." I suddenly say and the others look at me as I say: "It's just, I wonder why he was the first to arrive there – when the whole staff was still in the castle by the time he was gone and came back. Why didn't they get down there before him?" And this actually shocks Jessica as she says:
"I – I never thought of that." The girl then goes back to sitting between dad and me and crosses her arms, looking thoughtful as she asks: "Maybe – because Neville wasn't able to fight off the Petrification charm until Dumbledore came back?" But to this dad shakes his head and says: "That doesn't explain it. If anything, it proves Minerva's incompetence as a Head of House.""How do you mean?" Jessica asks, but it's Riku who answers:
"She suspected you for the better part of the afternoon. She should have gone to check up on you later that night. If she had done that, she would have noticed Neville there, undone the spell herself and could have been told where you were heading. It would have made it so that she would have intercepted you before you reached the final chamber. Her not doing that proves what your dad says about her." Jessica nods and Riku reads on.
"I feared … much longer –"
And this instantly makes Riku, dad and me glare at my little sister angrily, but the girl sighs and says: "Just save it. It was the way I was raised to think and, with all that has happened, it's only better I am here in this safe space. Otherwise, I probably would have continued on that way of upraising. And no, dad, I don't blame you."
This confuses me, but shocks dad and Jessica says: "What happened that night was not your fault and the fact that I was raised that way isn't either. If anyone is to blame for that, it's the Dursleys for raising me and Dumbledore for never stopping them. He had someone closeby to keep an eye out and who gave him reports and he never did anything with them." At this dad nods, but while Riku reads on, do I silently wonder something.
"She's so easily willing to admit that those in the wrong are in the wrong and not let people who are innocent of guilt believe they are guilty, so – why won't she use the same method of thought on herself and her own life?" And while this thought makes me greatly worried for my little sister, do I listen to Riku's reading.
"Not the … the best."
"And the reason you had this little chat after keeping that blasted thing safe almost took me my son and not when you got confirmation that someone almost stole it?" Dad asks furiously, but Jessica seems to have lost focus again. Only this time, the girl looks lost in thought instead of in a fantasy like before, which concerns me.
"What's wrong, sis?" I ask her and yet the girl doesn't answer. She stands up, mumbles a strange apology to Lady Destiny and then leaves for the Video Room. We all share a look and then follow after her, through the Video room and into the special room. And there I see the reason as to why she mumbled her apology.
Mum is standing in the room and is looking at Jessica in concerned confusion, probably because the girl is just standing in front of him instead of giving him a hug or something as Jessica asks: "You're at Hogwarts, right?" And the man answers: "Yeah, we just sent away the students who had detention with Umbridge. Did Sora –?" And Jessica nods, but I can tell she doesn't care for this as she keeps a firm gaze and says:
"I need you to get a one-on-one with Dumbledore. We're about to finish the last chapter of my first year and I just realized something. Snape suspected Quirrell ever since Halloween and even before then. But everything Snape suspects, he reports to Dumbledore, just like all other members in the Order and even some of the staff at Hogwarts. I want to know why Dumbledore didn't take these suspicions seriously."
The man nods and yet he asks: "You have your own suspicions, don't you?" And Jess nods before she, with clear displeasure and conviction sounding through her voice says: "I do. And apologize to my friends for this, but tell Dumbledore that, if I'm right, not even you, dad, Sora and Lea can ever convince me to go back to Hogwarts again." The man nods and then vanishes, his eyes proving he actually suspects the same thing.
"I really hope you're wrong." Dad then says, at which I wonder if I'm the only one still clueless, but I see Riku looking confused as well as Jessica sighs before she says: "So do I." And while the man moves over and hugs my younger sibling close, do I share a look with Riku, both of us wondering what the three are suspecting and concerned for the topic itself. We then all move back into the Reading room and focus on Riku as he reads.
"But that … will die."
"They actually left me a few things too." Jessica suddenly mumbles and we look at her as she says: "To thank me for keeping their Stone safe. They had the Goblins send a couple of advanced books on the subjects I chose for my Third and the subjects I got high scores for in my exams into my Vaults. They died the summer after my Second." We all nod and then dad asks:
"Does anyone know of this? About the books, I mean?" To which Jessica shrugs and says: "Mrs. Weasley probably. I told her she would probably find a little stuff other than money in my vault and asked her to keep it there when she offered to get my supplies while I was at the World Cup. I would have shared with others, but –." And here the girl's face changes, showing a look that is a mix between sadness and disgust.
"What? What happened?" I ask and Jessica sighs as she says: "In the summer before my third, after I found out about this, I decided to do a little test on Hermione. I thanked her for the gift she gave me, but then joked of how I was expecting her to give me some thick, advanced book. Her reaction made her fail my test."
"Her reaction was that bad?" Riku asks worriedly and Jessica rolls her eyes as she leans back, a real annoyed look on her face as she says: "It was. Her words were, and I quote: Harry, even if I did find a book to my liking, it would be way over your head anyway. I'm not going to waste money on books that don't get the appreciation they deserve. And I could tell she wasn't joking." And the tone of her voice when she fakes to be Hermione proves that.
This shocks and disgusts me as I know that Donald sometimes makes fun of me, but he never means it in a way to insult or hurt me and Jessica shakes his head as he says: "The ironic thing was, I had actually taken two of the books out of the vault already and read one of them. I knew it was on topics she would enjoy, but – because of those words – because of what she said –." The girl keeps quiet and dad finishes as he says:
"You kept this from her and made sure Mrs. Weasley wouldn't give her a chance to get the knowledge either. And let me guess, you already finished the two books you read?" Jessica nods and says: "I had Hedwig send them back to Gringotts just before our Third year exams." The man nods, a smirk of incredible pride on his face, pulls my little sister close and says:
"You did the right thing, sweetie. Hermione had no right to think that low of your intelligence or to insult you like that. Friends can joke with each other, but this was obviously not meant as one, even if she might have thought so. And if she ever does so again, just leave her to your mum, me or Lea, okay?" Yet at this Jessica says: "Only if it happens when it's not the two of us." At this dad nods and I smile at the two as Riku reads on.
Dumbledore smiled … for them."
"And you have a knack of choosing precisely those decisions that are worst for my daughter, Albus. Something you really need to start realizing before you start losing all those once loyal to you." Dad growls, but just by looking at Jessica and Riku, do I feel as if this is a lost cause already. This concerns me and then Riku reads on.
Harry lay … thing itself."
Yet Riku seems to disagree with this and he says: "I know it's wrong of someone like me to say this, seeing as how I am always snarky at those that want to harm me and mine, but antagonizing someone much older and stronger than you isn't something that man should encourage." Yet at this we all nod in agreement as the boy reads on.
"Yes, sir. … to power."
Yet this seems to be the wrong thing to read as suddenly Jessica looks down, her whole demeanor changing and taking on the characteristics of one who feels horrible over something terrible. Dad instantly hugs her close and whispers: "It wasn't your fault. You were a victim. He tricked and played you. You did nothing wrong."
But then she does it. With just a couple of words does Jessica prove how warranted my worries for her are and how right Lady Destiny was in believing that my little sister needs all the emotional and mental support she can get. "I should have stopped him." The girl whispers, but none of us believe that and I say:
"It wasn't up to you. If you were tricked into a trap laid out for you –." Yet Jessica doesn't seem willing to believe me as she says: "One I should have seen coming." But at this I grab her face with both hands and lift it, causing for her eyes to lock with mine and show her my determination to prove her wrong as I say:
"Jessica Artemis Potter, if that trap you mentioned is any like the trap I fell for during my Mark of Mastery exam, there was no way you could have seen it coming. That trap was laid out in such a way, the bastard in control of the trap actually led us into actions that led to us walking into the trap. He was someone who had been manipulating and hurting my friends and me for years and he tricked us before he trapped me.
And with that trap, he tricked even Master Yen Sid, a man that has been watching over the Universe I lived in since before I was born and who is known as the Greatest Keyblade Master and Master Sorcerer in the Universe. If that man can be tricked like that, I can. And if I can, you can. And that makes us innocent of the consequences."
The girl looks at me wide eyed, but then her eyes start to tear up and she whispers: "You – you – you really believe that?" And I pull the girl out of my dad's lap and into my own, giving her a warm hug as I mutter: "With all that I am, little sister." And while the girl cries in my shoulder and dad smiles at me proudly, do I feel like crying myself as I am beyond relieved that the girl is finally starting to stop blaming herself as Riku read on.
Harry nodded, … this time.
And this time, it seems as if dad agrees with him as he shakes his head and says: "You weren't ready. And I'm not saying this, because you were in the Hospital wing, sweetie. I'm saying this, because you put the safety of the Stone above your own." Jessica nods at him and then cuddles her face back in my shoulder as Riku reads on.
"Alas, the … the sheet.
And while we all feel touched by the words, does Jessica seem to have a theory of her own as she asks: "Do you think it was the clones? That, because they were created to care and protect me, that intend magic surrounded and imbedded with me after they died?" We all seem to agree with this theory and then Riku reads on.
When he … was here."
Yet this seems to anger Jessica and she mutters: "Wait a minute. He – he knew." We all look at her and she says: "He knew – of Lupin. Of how you were helping him and probably even of how you were helping him. So then why –?" But then suddenly the girl turns utterly furious and hisses dangerously: "He better not have."
We all look at her as she says: "He better not have kept the information about you being an Animagus from the Ministry, just to give you a ways of survival when he should have gotten you away from where they kept you. He should have – what am I saying? That man accepts the locations of others, even when they're detrimental."
And while I know that the girl is actually referencing to the Dursleys she was kept with even though Dumbledore knew they were unsuitable as parents, let alone guardians, do I still feel greatly worried about what the girl means about the Ministry keeping my father where they did. And while I cuddle with Riku and while dad pulls Jessica close to whisper words of reassurance and comfort, does my beloved read on.
"And there's … in peace..."
"How did that happen?" I ask in utter shock, but dad says: "I can't tell you the full story yet. Not because I don't want to, but because there is someone who deserves to hear that first. I will make sure that James informs them of it – and when I know that he has, will I tell you kids, I promise. And I know that you already knew a version, Jess, but it's not the full one." At this, while Jessica looks confused, do I nod and Riku reads on.
Harry tried … saying something.
"No, it was one you based on Harry and Voldemort alone and that made you utterly forget you had an entire school of other students to care for and protect at the same time." Dad growls, looking just as furious as he did when he stormed off and while I wonder why he thinks that, does Jessica grab his hand, calming the man down before he mutters: "Read on, I'll explain after we're done." We nod at him as Riku reads on.
You see, … of Life.
And instantly I get the problem dad found that made him say what he did and I say: "But, that doesn't make sense. Only people who will want to either have or protect the Stone will go down there, so why endanger all those wanting the latter with easy access to that thing? Why risk half the school that will, out of either courage or loyalty to the school, want to do that? That's not safe." And dad nods as Riku angrily reads on.
My brain … Ear wax!"
Yet this satisfies me and I growl: "Only better. That will teach him not to think he can take what's yours without asking." But then Jessica sighs and says: "Trust me, it didn't. People take and make decisions about me without asking me all the time." And while her tone of apathy angers me, do I listen to Riku's voice.
Madam Pomfrey, … Madam Pomfrey..."
"She doesn't do visiting hours?" Riku asks shocked and Jessica answers: "She believes that the only thing her patients need to focus on is getting better." But to this I ask: "How can they do that if they have nothing to distract them from the pain that got them in there in the first place?" And Jessica shrugs as Riku reads on.
"Oh, very … out loud.
"I kind of felt bad afterwards. Felt I had told them too much. Though that was mostly because, two days later, Ron came to the Hospital Wing himself and asked Madam Pomfrey for a Calming Draught before bed. Apparently he had nightmares while I was in coma and my tale didn't help matters. It just changed his nightmares."
This makes me cringe, but then Riku asks: "And Hermione?" At which I notice Jessica cringe even more and she says: "She was banned from the library for the rest of the year, even though the year ended a few days later. She was caught there, having stayed up two nights in a row, looking up ways that she thought could have helped me avoid landing in the Hospital Wing or at least made sure I wouldn't have ended up the way I did.
She was actually threatened with a spell to keep her to her bed and to have her ban extend into the following year if she didn't talk with someone about her worries. In the end, she spoke of them with Professor Sprout. Apparently McGonagall and the point loss still affected her." At this I nod and Riku smiles as he reads on.
"So the … and everything?"
"All of the signs sure point that way." Riku growls and dad sighs as he says: "And I know why. I'll tell you kids later, but I need assurance that it won't make you go overboard first. And right now, this –." He motions for the book and says: "Is just making you too emotional." At which we all grimace but nod as Riku reads on.
"Well, " Hermione … been killed."
"And all of the other students have been in danger of a Dark Lord teaching them for a full year. Heh, I wonder if Dumbledore ever suspected that Voldemort was growing out of the back of Quirrell's head." Jessica mutters, but this angers dad and he growls: "If he did, he doesn't deserve to be a Headmaster, not anymore."
"Not even with that reason you think you know about why he did all this?" Riku asks and dad growls: "No. Not even that is enough of a reason to warrant Dumbledore not picking the safety of his students over the truth of that reason." And while I know Riku was baiting for more clues, does dad seem to get a little angrier as he says:
"If anything, that would warrant him losing his job as Headmaster. If that was more important to him even then, more important than keeping his students safe and doing what he can to fulfil his job, then that only further proves that Jess can't go back to Hogwarts. Dumbledore won't keep it safe if she does, not if I'm right."
This actually shocks and worries me and Jessica asks: "So I'm right. Whatever this reason is, whatever it is that made Voldemort kill the clones just to get to me, it's more important to him than anything and everything else. He puts everything that happened the last 14 years on that." Dad nods and then Lady Destiny says:
"And to make matters worse, he is not doing a good job keeping that reason truly safe. This, you know, has been proven by both Arthur Weasley and Broderic Bode. And that will, in turn, make it so that you will have more reason to follow his lead and will lead to all I told you about – when I held you in my arms, little one." And this makes me pull my sister closer against me in worried fear as Riku reads on.
"No, it … I could..."
"What eleven year old should have the right to face someone like that monster? How could you possibly –?" Riku angrily growls, but Jessica sighs and says: "Like I said, upraising. I didn't have much self-preservation, but I held a lot of pride in my parentage and even more in the fact – or what I thought was the fact – of my parents having gone down fighting him." And while he doesn't like this answer, does Riku read on.
"Yeah, Dumbledore's … be good."
"How did that happen? Surely the Chasers made sure to at least keep the score difference to a minimum?" I can't help but ask, but Jessica sighs and says: "Their guilt over their treatment of me during the point loss made that impossible. The twins refused to play all-together as they didn't believe they deserved to win anything anymore. The scores nearly broke the records." And I grimace at this as Riku reads on.
At that … he spoke.
"Wait, how did that happen? I thought Madam Pomfrey didn't like it when her patients have visitors." I say confused and Jessica sighs as she says: "Hagrid told her he was send by Dumbledore." Yet thanks to everything we said about the man before now, does that not hold much ground in my book as I think: "That man is as bloody infamous as Ansem the Wise, Xehanort and Master Yen Sid – combined." And I shake my head at this as Riku reads on.
As usual … a Muggle!"
And as he reads this, does Riku's voice change from shocked, to agreeing, to being filled with a sense of accomplishment to astonishment and he says: "I can get that he feels guilty and it's good that he feels bad, but – can't that guy ever not go overboard with what he does?" And this makes me snicker as the boy just reads on.
"Hagrid!" said … got loads..."
This startles Jess and she asks: "That reminds me. Why isn't it mentioned how most of that candy was joined by all kinds of letters of regret and how all of the get-well cards had small promises of the students to help me with anything I might need in the next year? Is it because they just went back on their promises next year?"
This makes Riku and I share concerned looks, both of us knowing that, even though she doesn't say it, Jess is talking about how the students turn on my sister yet again in her second year. Yet then dad asks: "Do you still have those?" And Jessica nods as he says: "Good. We'll need to see if we can get them in your mum's hands."
"Why?" Jessica asks and dad smirks as he says: "Because, whether I like it or not, those students owe you a life debt and those promises can be seen as ways they were supposed to repay those. Them doing the opposite is something your mum can use against them. To truly punish them for their constant tail-coating of you. They think they can placate you with empty promises, but they deserve to learn to take some responsibility."
And while Jessica looks shocked, do I notice how she obviously wants to object to this, but then dad turns to where the pile of gifts is still set and he says: "Not to mention it will be a good payback for those lethal gifts as well as those who wrote up those demeaning contracts." And this seems to appease Jessica as Riku reads on.
Hagrid wiped … and father.
This instantly makes me want to turn to Jessica, but then I let out a sound of slight pain as something lands in my lap and I look down, my eyes widening when I see the same book as described just now lying there. I then hear a sound above me and smile at Hedwig as the owl happily hoots at me and then lands as Riku reads on.
"Sent owls … like it?"
Yet while Jessica had happily smiled at seeing the book in my lap, does she then look down sad and says: "The problem is, as happy as I am that those friends were willing to part with those pictures for me, do I just not get why they didn't seek me out at all. Not before then and not after. It just doesn't make any sense to me."
This makes dad and me look at the girl concerned and dad asks: "Not one of them came to see you?" And the girl answers: "I didn't meet any of them until Lupin started teaching – and didn't find out he was your friend until Christmas had passed." Yet while dad seems greatly shocked to hear this about his friend, does Riku say:
"That sure explains one thing." And we all turn to him as he says: "Lupin has been doing a lot of good, but you still call him by his last name. I'm going to assume he did the same thing after he stopped teaching?""I didn't see him again until last summer." Jess answers and dad growls at this as Riku nods, but then I say: "But he did try to keep in contact. It was just being intercepted." Jessica nods, dad smiles and Riku reads on.
Harry couldn't … High Table.
Yet this actually saddens Jessica in a way I can just tell that it's not a sadness that comes from defeat or misery over having lost to her Rivaling House and the girl asks: "Excuse me a minute, I need to do a little something." And the girl leaves, her misery now mixed with a strong sense of determination as she leaves the room.
We all look at the closed door in confusion and I ask: "What do you think that was about?" And dad hums as he says: "I think – something happened at the feast that, now that she is reading back on it, is working on your sister's sense of responsibility." And I wonder what this could be, making me turn to Riku as he reads on.
When Harry … at him.
"I sure hope some of them decided to do more than just trying to look at him." Dad growls, but then Riku says: "Let's just read on and find out what upset Jessica. The only one who can answer what we wonder about just left the room, after all." And dad nods, angry at the students and worried about his daughter as Riku reads on.
Fortunately, Dumbledore … seventy-two."
"Wait a second." Dad suddenly mumbles and he looks from the book to the door my sister just left through and then presses his lips together in anger before he says: "Looks like my little girl has more honor than Dumbledore. Not " Yet while I already believe this myself, do I wonder why he says this as Riku continues reading.
A storm … see. Yes...
"He hands them out then? Not after getting Jess out of that room or after hearing her or Ron and Hermione's side of the story or even the day after? He hands out the points after giving the Snakes the belief that they won?" Riku asks shocked and dad says: "Like I said, she's more honorable to them." And while this appeases Riku a little, does he read on.
"First – to … chess set!"
Here I sigh in relief and mutter: "Is it wrong that I am glad that Jess isn't here to hear that?" But dad shakes his head and says: "It's been half a year since he turned his back on her, but I know that still stings a lot with my little girl. It really is better she doesn't hear that. And it's better we just ignore any part of the books that concern him, until he's learned his lesson." And Riku nods to prove he too agrees with me as he reads on.
"Second – to … sixty points."
Yet, while I have no doubt that others would have expected us to be proud of my sibling at the time, does dad just press his lips together and mutter: "I guess he felt that the three day coma was enough to punish Jessica for her dangerous actions." But then we get shocked by a cold voice speaking from the door as Jessica says:
"Not even." We turn to her and see Hedwig on her shoulder, the owl hard at work with her beak in her owner's hair in an attempt to calm down my sister's annoyance as she walks over and says: "The only reason Dumbledore did all of that – was not to award us for protecting the school; it's because McGonagall finally heard some rumors of the students having turned on me and felt guilty. He did it to alleviate her guilt."
This shocks us all and Jessica, who has gone to sit at the edge of the couch, looks away with her arms crossed across her chest, anger and disgust burning in her eyes as she says: "The funny thing is, I found out later that, at the start of my Second, Dumbledore asked McGonagall to ensure such events don't reoccur. And yet, she did nothing yet again after November passed. You'll see what I mean." We all nod and Riku asks:
"Are you okay?" And the girl answers: "I feel like I did something right to make up for a wrong that was committed back then, but – this still stings." And she motions to the book as she says this, all of us nodding as I ask: "What did you do?" And the girl answers: "I had Hedwig transported between our worlds to send official notes to most of the present Slytherins with a vow that I do not agree with this method." Making us smile at her in pride as Riku reads on.
The din … Neville Longbottom."
At this we all smile and Jessica sighs as she says: "Though to be honest, I was also glad to find out that this wasn't part of Dumbledore wanting to help McGonagall out. This was something he wanted to do himself." Yet then I realize something and I ask: "Wait, that means Dumbledore never intended to award points at all."
And the others look at me as I shrug and say: "What? It proves something to me. In his own way, Dumbledore wanted to prove that he cared for you, that he didn't want you to think you should be rewarded for risking your neck in something like this. He just went back on his desires to help out someone else he cared for."
Yet at this Riku says: "Just a shame McGonagall later proved herself unworthy of that help." And while I sigh as I have to agree with my love, does Jessica frown herself and say: "Not to mention Dumbledore himself went back on those desires only a year later." And this shocks and slightly disgusts me as Riku reads on.
Someone standing … Gryffindor before.
"What kind of crap is that? That has to be from the other timeline, cause in this one, Neville actually tried really hard to win back the points McGonagall took. Dean and Seamus just constantly got him in trouble after and made him lose the points he won back. And they wouldn't even listen when he tried explaining it to them."
"How are those two still students?" I can't help but ask, feeling repulsed that anyone can be like that at age eleven and Jessica rolls her eyes as she says: "I turned the twins on them in the following year and they swore never to turn on Neville like that again." Yet then the girl sighs and looks down before she mumbles to herself:
"Guess I should have ensured they swore never to turn on anyone in the dorm instead of just Neville." "Why didn't you? I mean, seeing what they did to Hedwig and all?" Riku asks and while Hedwig hoots in annoyance before she goes back to preening her owner's hair, does Jessica answer: "Dean has been buying Hedwig treats for years and Seamus bought her a new stand."
"And did they apologize?" Dad asks to which Jessica answers: "They did, but only for that year. They just went a little more out of their way in my second and kept to themselves back in my last year. Only, this year, Seamus has someone other than Dean backing his behavior –." And the girl sighs again, looking down.
"I have never been more glad that you gave into your desires for that gender change, sweetie." Dad then says and when Jessica looks up, he says: "At least now you never have to experience directly what Pettigrew did behind our backs for years." This shocks Jessica and confuses me, but then she actually wants to object.
"They turn on you every time you are in pain, danger or under attack. That proves them no better than that little rat, at least not when he was still a teen himself. They may not have done what Pettigrew did in the end, but they sure sound like they have that potential." And Jessica seems to have no defense against this, other than her shock.
I then notice Riku looking at me and I look back at him as he says: "I have never been more glad that you are her brother." This makes the other two look at him and he says: "Sora has something Jessica never had or at least she doesn't have it in the same amount that he does. Sora has the ability to connect to many hearts and thanks to this has many friends of which he can be 200% they are on his side. No traitors in his camp, I know that for a fact."
And this makes the other two smile at me as well. And while Jessica had moved off of sitting on the couch earlier and been standing off the side of the couch for a while now, her arms clasped around the elbows of her other arm in a sign that she feels she needs to protect herself, does she unwind and does she happily come to sit between dad and me, Hedwig flying off to land on the couch on the other side of the room as Riku continues reading.
Harry, still … one jot.
"And apparently, neither did Minerva's. Ugh, I can't wait to hear how James rips into her. Oh, that reminds me." Dad suddenly says and he grabs the roll of parchment Lady Destiny gave him, obviously writing down what we found out about the point loss. And while I share in his excitement over the punishment, do we suddenly hear Lady Destiny giggle and say: "I will show it off in the Video room when it happens." Making us all grin as Riku reads on.
This didn't … forget tonight.
"I really never did, though I did get curious over a few things as years passed and got to find out about all this. I also managed to share a few words with Snakes that were more – neutral minded and got them to understand that the whole victory wasn't my idea of fair anyway. Oh and I didn't send either them or Malfoy a note. Malfoy, he would never accept it and they probably wouldn't need it." Jessica says, all of us nodding at her as Riku reads on.
Harry had … first years.
Yet because of everything we have read and learned so far, do I feel curious about a little something and apparently it seems as if Lady Destiny feels willing to answer my curiosity as I suddenly find my lap filled with different kinds of scrolls. I open one of them and feel pleasantly surprised as I read Charms First Year Exam.
I then spot something in front of me and notice Hedwig flying in front of my face with a quill between her talons. I happily take it from her and use the book that the owl brought me earlier as a stand to put the open scroll on. And while the others look at me in intrigue, do I mumble: "Just read." Riku complying as I focus, trying to learn how to write with the quill that is now in my hand.
Even Neville … Weasley sadly);
I hear dad hum at this, but don't really pay it much mind as a question I just reached kind of boggles my mind and I push what happens around me to the back of my mind, listening to them, but not really caring for what they have to say. Then, as I read through the question again, does it hit me and I write down the answer as Riku reads.
Hagrid was … the Muggles.
"I actually found out last year that that's Dumbledore, coming to see his students off without drawing the attention to himself. He's apparently been doing that ever since the war ended. Heard some portraits say it's way of dealing with the grief." I hear my sister say and I hum at this as I read another question and listen to Riku.
"You must … at him.
"Some of them actually voiced reminders of the letters and get-well cards they gave me. To be honest, I was tempted to have one of them commit to that promise by letting me stay with them until Ron invited me, but I didn't think Uncle Vernon would leave that lying down." Jess says and I grimace at her before I focus back on the test.
But then I hear her sigh and say: "I really shouldn't have cared. I should have just gone with the temptation." At this I look at her and she says: "Let's just say that, just like the crap that happens each year, the Dursleys somehow get worse each summer too. Plus, I don't think it sounds too surprising when I say that Vernon gets loud and public when he doesn't get his way." And this makes me focus back on the test with a frown as Riku reads.
"Not where … Mrs. Weasley."
Yet, while I had managed to get halfway through the group of scrolls, does this actually catch my attention away from the test and I look up as I say: "Hold on, she didn't know of any of it?" And Jessica shakes her head before I say: "I know we realized this earlier, but – still – that – that is just wrong on so many levels. It basically says that the teachers are in the belief that parents are no longer parents if the kids are at school.
As if the bond between mother and daughter or father and son and the parental right to know what goes on in their kids' lives goes on pause or on hold the minute said kid steps on the express. And what for? A reputation? A statement that they hardly even live up to anymore?""Unfortunately." Jessica mumbles, her face proving that she is done with this book and I return to my test in disgust, Riku growling as he reads.
"Oh, it … this summer..."
"At least you have something to use to keep yourself safe. Though the fact that I feel you need something like that proves just how wrong Albus was in putting you there in the first place. Which reminds me." And dad writes down on his own scroll, yet then I move mine over to Jessica and ask: "How did I do?"
And the girl looks startled before, to both our shock, the scroll lights up. Yet it doesn't vanish and when the light vanish, do I pull it back and my eyes widen as I realize that it was Lady Destiny who judged my test. And to my utter pride did I actually get 60% of my answers right, 30% wrong and 10% considered incomplete.
"Not bad for someone who bases his knowledge on a storybook." Jessica says and then she mumbles: "I wonder how I will do, now that I don't have my friends breathing down my neck and actually have someone I can make proud with my results." And I happily watch as all of my scrolls light up and then copy themselves.
My sister and I smile at each other and Riku says: "I think you should just head to the Special room and the table there. The story's over anyway." And as he lies the book down on the table in front of him, do we nod before the two of us gather our respective tests and happily rush for the table. There we sit at opposite ends of the now enlarged, circular table, send each other a challenging smirk and then look down as we get to work.
Good luck you two.
And I can tell you all here and now, I enjoyed editing this chapter a LOT more than I did when I first wrote it. I do understand why I didn't like it at the time as my mind was fully focused onto USUM and those games are pretty sweet – though they don't hold a candle to KH 3 – but if there is one thing I loved, it's all the small things I was able to add onto this chapter that are small little teasers for what is yet to come.
Now that's fun,
Venquine1990
